Multiple height space divider system and connector assembly therefor

ABSTRACT

A streamlined, modern, space dividing system for use in environmental office design applications and the like which includes one or more hollow tubular vertical post of two or more differing heights having two or more panel connector adapters axially aligned therewith. Each panel connector adapter includes a vertically oriented annular slot therein adapted to receive complementary hook connectors associated with the vertical edges of at least two spaced dividing panels of differing heights, thereby providing support for panels of differing heights in any angular orientation about the axis of the post.

United States Patent 11 1 Bleeker 5] May 7, 1974 [54] MULTIPLE HEIGHTSPACE DIVIDER 3,333,808 8/1967 Boff 52 /726 SYSTEM AND CONNECTORASSEMBLY use a.. THEREFOR 3,690,365 9/1972 Thompson 160/135 [75]Inventor: Raymond A. Bleeker, Grand Rapids,

Mich Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun [73] Assignee: Westinghouse ElectricCorporation, y Agent, F" smdebaker Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 211,584 Astreamlined, modern, space dividing system for use in environmentalofiice design applications and the like which includes one or morehollow tubular verti- CCll. cal post of two or more differing heightshaving two or I! 0 I u... g more panel connector adapters axiallyaligned there [58] 3 1 7 5 with. Each panel connector adapter includes avertically oriented annular slot therein adapted to receivecomplementary hook connectors associated with the vertical edges of atleast two spaced dividing panels of [56] References (med differingheights, thereby providing support for panels UNITED STATES PATENTS ofdiffering heights in any angular orientation about 3,204,689 9/1965Howell 160/135 the axis of the post. 3,559,352 2/1971 Magnuson 52/363,517,467 6/1970 Propst et a1 52/36 11 Claims, 4 Drawing FiguresPATENTEBHAY 7 I974 SHEU 1 0? 4 VUQQU- l r w minimum H974 I 3.809.142

' sum 30? 4 FIG. 3.

PATfNTEDm 7 1914 saw u or 4 FIG.4.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related toapplication Ser. No. 159,360 filed July 2, 1971 by William C. Andersonand Raymond A. Bleeker' for SPACE DIVIDER SYSTEM AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYTHEREFOR and constitutes an. improvement thereover to the extent that itprovides for the utilization of space divider panels of differingheights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to space dividingsystems and more particularly to a novel connector assembly and supportpost for connecting space dividing panels of differing heights commonlyemployed in the modern planning of interior office spaced involving thesocalled concept of office landscaping". Although the field of officelandscaping is realtively new, there has been a high level ofdevelopmental activity over the recent past few years culminating in amultitude of varied connector assemblies and concepts. For the mostpart, these prior art systems have left something to be desired from anaesthetic standpoint in that much of the connecting hardware and devicesnecessary to the assembly of the space dividing system are completelyvisible thereby detracting from the unitary appearance of the spacedividing structure. Furthermore, many of the prior art space dividingsystems-require numerous different kinds of hardware to assemble thevarious elements of the space dividing system. In general, prior artspace dividing systems were incapable of interchangeably handling spacedividing panels of different heights.

An additional and significant, factor in the design of interior spacedividing systems is the relative ease of assembly, dissassembly andmobility of the units. For example, many systems have adjustableconnectors on the support postsas well as adjustable connectors on thepanels and the relative adjustment of these various connectors requirecareful assembly to insure aesthetically complementary appearance fromthe standpoint of symmetry and alignment. The interior space dividerarrangement disclosed in US. Pat. 3,559,352 to R. A. Magnuson isillustrative of an interior space dividing system which solves many ofthe problems of the prior art and represents a significant advance interms of aesthetics and ease of assembly. However, the connectingcollars of theMagnuson system are quite visible and in assembling thespace divider system of that patent the adjustable collar featurerequires careful alignment to insure symmetrical and plumb relationshipsbetween the various panels.

In. addition, the majority of the prior art space devicing systems can,accommodate only space dividing panels having a uniform height and suchsystems are not conducive to dividing office space for differing usesand accessibility. In many instances it is highly desirable to employpanels of greater height for enclosing executive offices, medicalexamination rooms, etc. which may be directly associated withsecretarial spaces and nurses stations, etc. The direct association orconnection of offices having walls of different heights, out ofnecessity or desirability, have not heretorefore been readily availablein commercial standardized space dividing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The space dividing of this invention issignificantly superior to prior art developments in that all of theconnecting hardware is substantially hidden from view with the universalconnector assemblies on the support posts completely hidden within thesilhouette of the support post while additionally providing fixedlocations for the connectors facilitating quick and simple assembly ofthe space divider system. The system additionally pro vides for theinterconnection of space divider panels of differing heights on a singlevertical post. The foregoing is provided in the space dividing system ofthis invention by including in combination at least one connectorassembly and support post for supporting and connecting space dividingpanels of differing heights, said connector assembly and support postcomprising a two part vertically disposed tubular body member havingpanel connector means disposed intermediate the separated tubular bodymembers and additional panel connector means connected at each remoteend of the tubular body members and forming extensions thereof which areof the same diameter as the spaced tubular body members. Each of thepanel connector means include horizontally disposed axially alignedslots therein adapted to receive connector hooks which extend from thevertical edgeof the vertically disposed planar panels to therebysupportthe planar panels at any angular relationship with respect to theaxis of the connector assembly and the suppport post. The connectorassembly and support post further includes a post leveler threadablyreceived at the bottom of the support post and a post cap which includesan elongated bolt extending therefrom which extends throughthe upperpanelconnector means, the upper tubular body member and is threadablysecured into the intermediate panel connector means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 3 is a perspective viewillustrating the interconnection of two higher space dividing panelswith one lower space dividing panel and the associated support posts;and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the interconnection of onehigher space dividing panel with three lower space dividing panels andthe associated assembly and support posts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to thedrawingwherein like reference characters represent like parts throughoutthe several views there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the connectorassembly and support posts, generally designated 10, for supporting andconnecting one or more space dividing panels of different heights; Theprincipal constituent of the connector assembly and support post is anelongated, open-ended, hollow tubular body member 12 of predeterminedlength and predetermined external diameter adapted for verticalorientation. The tubular body member 12 is closed off at its upper endby a plug like panel connector element 14 which is of the same externaldiameter as the tubular body at its maximum diameter and includes atapered and shouldered portion illustrated at 16 which is force fit intothe upper end of the hollow tubular body member. At the bottom of thehollow tubular body member 12 is a second plug like panel connectorelement 18 which also includes a plug like tapered and shoulderedportion at20 which closes off the open bottom by a force fit into thebottom of the hollow tubular body member 12. The post top connectorelement 14 includes in its upper outer surface 21 an annular slot 22which is adapted to receive a complementary hook connector from thespace dividing panel in a manner to be described. The post top connectorelement also includes a threaded, axially aligned, central bore 24 whichis adapted to receive the post cap 26 which includes a stud member 28threaded at 29 and a screw driver key 30. The post bottom connectorelement 18 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is shwon in two parts, the plugportion 18a and a second cylindrical portion 18b which is force fit intothe part 18a-and is of the same maximum external diameter as the portion18a and the hollow tubular body member 12. Although illustrated in a.two part construction the bottom connector element 18 may be a singleelement. The bottom connector element 18 includes an internallydisposed, externally accessible, axially aligned annular slot 32 thereinwhich is accessible through the radially directed annular cutout portion34 situated between the portions 18a and 18b. The bottom panel connectorelement further includes an axially aligned threaded bore which isadapted to receive the threaded stud 36 of a leveler foot support 38.Alternatively, among other possibilities, a caster may be substitutedfor the foot support to provide mobility to the system.

The connector assembly and support post abovedescribed is substantiallyidentical with that disclosed in the above-referenced copendingapplication Ser. No. 159,360, filed July 2, 1971 by William C. Andersonand Raymond A. Bleeker. By merely employing a post cap 26 with a shorterstud member 28 the abovedescribed panel connector and support post canbe employed to support space dividing panels of similar height.

The versatility of the connector assembly and support post of thisinvention will become more readily apparent as this description proceedsin that by the addition of a few simple but similar parts a connectorassembly and support type post is made available which can handle twodistinct sizes of space divider panels. In this connection, an upperhollow tubular body member 42 is closed off at the upper end by an upperplug like panel connector element 44 which is identical with the pluglike panel connector element 14 and includes a tapered and shoulderedlower portion illustrated at 46 which is force fit into the upper end ofthe hollow tubular body member 42. At the bottom of the hollow tubularbody member 42 is a second plug like panel connector element 48 which isagain identical with the upper part 18a of the lower plug like panelconnector element.

Space dividing panels of differing heights as for example space dividingpanels of a lower height generally designated 50 and higher spacedividing panels generally designated 52 can be supported by the singleconnector assembly and support post 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.The space dividing panels 50, 52 include along at least one edgethereof, and preferably the two side edges, an external mounting stripor edge bracket which is secured to the edges of the panels by any oneof several conventional means. The outer face 54 of the mounting stripor end bracket 56 is'preferably somewhat concave as will be apparentfrom FIG. 1 with a radius of curvature substantially similar to theradius of curvature of the support post 10. Alternatively, any recess inthe strip which provides a similar light seal between the post and thepanel could accomplish the same result. Formed at the top and bottom ofthe end brackets are hook connector extensions 58 and 60 which areformed preferably integrally with and directly from the end of bracketand terminate in hook portions 62 which have substantially the sameradius of curvature as the annular slots 22, 32 and 43. The side walls64 of the end brackets include a plurality of notches 66 which serve tomount shelves, desk tops and similar items as will be later described.

As will be apparent the higher space dividing panel 52 can be utilizedwith a single elongated connector assembly and support post, asdescribed in the aforementio'ned earlier filed application, when it isnot desirable to interconnect the higher panel 52 with one or more lowerpanels 50. If a hook connector 58 was formed in the face of the endbracket 56 at the appropriate height to coincide with annular slot 22that hook connector would interfere with the mounting of a spacedividing panel 52 on a single post support 10. To render the higherspace dividing panels 52 adaptable for interconnection through aconnector assembly and support post to both other panels 52 and panels50, the edge bracket 56 is provided with a rectangular aperture 68approximately the same distance above the hook connector 60 as the hookconnector 58 is situated above the hook connector 60 on the shorterpanel'50. Although the upper hook connector 58 and lower hook connector60 are sufficeint to provide comparatively rigid support for the panel52, where desirable, a connector clip may be employed to provide furtherrigidity and an additional interconnection where a panel 52 is connectedto a connector assembly and post support constructed in accordance withthis invention. The connector clip 70includes a tongue member 72, a pairof ear members 74 and a hook portion 76 similar to the hook portions 62on connectors 58 and 60. The connector clip 70 when employed is placedinto the aperture 68 in a side ways orientation and then rotated towedge the tongue 72 and cars 74 behind the back of the mounting strip orend bracket 56 to provide an additional hook connector for associationwith the connector assembly and post support 10. As will be apparent,the connector assembly and support post receives in its annular slots22, 32, and 43 the hook extensions 58 and 60 and the hook 76 onconnector clip 70. The space dividing panels 50 and 52 can then besituated at any angular relationship with the post through the entire360 and each connector assembly and support post can accommodate aplurality of such space dividing panels. When a space dividing panel,through hook connectors 58 and 60, is mounted on'theconnector assemblyand support post itis retained in position by tightening the threadedpost cap 26 down against the top hook connector 44to thereby grip thehook connector 58 betweenthe underside of the post cap 26 and the uppersurface of the panel connector element 44. The entire space dividingsystem can then be leveled through the threadablyadjustable levelingfoot 38.

Although thebottom edge of the plug like panel connector element 48canbe employed to secure the hook connector 48 of the smaller panel 50 inthe'slot 22 it has been found that it is preferable to employ a washer78 between the bottom edge of plug like connectorelement 48 and theupper surface of connector element 14 to provide a metallic surface forcontact with the metallic hook connectors. Furthermore, it becomesextremely difficult to connect panels to the support post without thepresence of the movable washer 78.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the elongated hollowtubular body members 12 and 42 are manufactured from cold rolled steelwith a vinyl coating and have an external diameterof about 1 h inches.The post topand post bottom panel connector elements 14, 1'8, 44 and 48are preferably of rigid polyvinyl chloride as is the post cap 26. All ofthe post cap 26, washer 78, and panel connector members 1'4, 18, 44 and48 are also of approximately l '55 inches in diameter. The panels arepreferably a standard framed honeycomb core 80 coated with afhighpressure decorative laminate 82. The external mounting strip 56ispreferably cold rolled steel and the leveler foot.38 is alsoconstructed of steel with a plastic bottom portion 84.

The series of notches 66 are adapted to receive hooked brackets asillustrated at 86 which may in turn support book shelves, cabinets, desktopsor the like- 88 in a manner which is well known in the art.

In a specific embodiment of this invention, thepanels 50 are generally60inches in height while the panels 52 are 80 inches in height with thevertical support post being approximately 60. inches from the bottomsurface of element 18b to the top surface of washer 78 and inches fromthe bottom surface of element 48 to the top surface of the post .capstud .26.

The concave curve portion 54 of the end bracket 56, when a panel isconnected to a support post, serves to eliminate the ability to seebetween the panel and the post and hence facilitates privacy betweenadjacent spaces separated by the space dividing system.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate space dividing systems utilizing at least oneconnector assemblyand support post and space dividing panels inaccordance with this invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of twohigher panels 52 with a single shorter panel 50. As will be apparent aconnector assembly and support post 10 secures the three panels togetherwhile one shorter support post 92 and two longer support posts90constructed in accordance with the earlier filed, abovereferenced,application support the panels at their ends. FIG. 4 illustrates theassembly of three shorter panels 50 with a single larger panel 52 abouta connector assembly and support post l0tofthisinvention.The panels 50and 52 are again supported attheir ends by connector assembly andsupportpost90 and 92 constructed in accordance with the earlier filedapplication. It should be noted, however, that any of the support posts92 could be readily converted to a support post 10 of this inventionwith the addition of a tubular body member 42 and its associatedaccessories and larger panels'52, extending fromt'hosepost assemblies,added to provide additional spaces orcubicles.

What is claimed is: a y

l. A space dividing system including in combination at least oneconnector assembly and support post for supporting and connecting spacedividing panels of different "heights, said connector assembly andsupport post comprising:

a pair of vertically disposed axially aligned tubular body members andforming "extensions thereof, a

each of said panel connector means including an internally "disposedaxially aligned annular slot therein,

each of said space dividing panels including a vertically disposedplanar panel having an elongated channel secured to its verticaledge,each of said elongated channels including at least upper and lowerconnector hooks, said upper and lower connector hooks being constructedand arranged to be 1 retained in the annular slots in at least two ofsaid panel connector means to thereby support said space dividing panelmeans on said connector assebly and support post.

2. A space dividing *system according to claim 1 wherein a post capmember extends through the upper panel connector means and the uppertubular body member and is threadably received in the top'of saidintermediate panel connector means and coacts with the top surface ofthe uppermost connector hook to thereby secure said space dividingpanels in a stationary relationship with respect to said connectorassemblyand support post.

3. A space dividing system according to claim 1 wherein said panelconnector means connected intermediate said tubular bodytnem'bers andsaid panel connector meansformingextensions of said tubular body membersare secured to said tubular body members through a plug like extensionwhich is force fitted into theinteriorofsaidtubular body member.

4. A space dividing system according to claim 1 wherein said upper andlower connectorhooks include an extendedportion and ahook portion, saidhook portion being slightly concavely curved with said curve.havingsubstantially the same radius of curvature as the channel and atits other end into the axially aligned annular slot in said intermediatepanel connector means.

.6. A connector assembly and support post for connecting and supportingone or more panel dividers of a space divider system, said connectorassembly and support post comprising: a

a first hollow tubular body member of predetermined length;

a first plug like connector member secured in and closing off the topend of said first hollow tubular body member, and first plug likeconnector member having an annular slot in its surface remote from saidfirst tubular body member and a threaded aperture therein centrally ofsaid annular slot;

a second plug like connector member secured in and closing off thebottom end of said first tubular body member, said second plug likeconnector having a radially directed annular cutout portion with anaxially directed annular slot therein adjacent the base of said radiallydirected annular cutout portion and a threaded aperture in the bottomside of said second plug like connector; second tubular body member ofpredetermined length, third plug like connector member secured in andclosing off the top end of said second hollow tubular body member, saidthird plug like connector member having an annular slot in its surfaceremote from said second tubular body member and anaperture thereincentrally of said annular slot;

a fourth plug like connector member secured in and closing off thebottom end of said second tubular body member, said fourth plug likeconnector having an aperture therethrough, each of said first and secondhollow tubular members and said first, sec ond, third and fourth pluglike connectors have a uniform maximum external diameter and give theappearance of a unitary member; and,

cap means having an elongated stud forming a part thereof, saidelongated stud extending through the centrally disposed apertures insaid third and fourth plug like connector members and being threadablyreceived in the threaded aperture in said first plug like connectormember.

7. A connector assembly and support post according to claim 6 whereinsaid hollow tubular body members are constructed from cold rolled steeland have a vinyl coating thereon and said plug like connector membersare constructed of rigid polyvinyl chloride.

8. A connector assembly and support post according to claim 7 wherein awasher member is interposed between the bottom surface of said fourthplug like connector member and the upper surface of said first plug likeconnector member' 9. A connector assembly and support post forconnecting and supporting one or more panel dividers of 8' a spacedivider system, said connector assembly and support post comprising:

a first elongated hollow tubular body member of prev determined lengthand predetermined external diameter adapted for vertical orientation;

a first connector element associated with and closing off the upper endof said first tubular body member, said first connector member having anannular slot in the upper surface thereof;

a second connector element associated with and closing off the bottomend of said first tubular body member, said second connector-elementhaving an internally disposed, externally accessible, axially aligned,annular slot therein; 7

a second elongated hollow tubular body member of predetermined lengthand predetermined external .diameter adapted for vertical orientationabove said first elongated hollow tubular body member;

a third connector element associated with and closing off the upper endof said second tubular body member, said third connector element havingan annular slot in the upper surface thereof;

a fourth connector element associated with and closing off the bottomend of said tubular body member; and 1 cap means having an elongatedstud associated therewith, said elongated stud extending through saidthird connector element, said second elongated hollow tubular bodymember and said fourth connector element and being threadably receivedin said first connector element, said cap means overlying the annularslot in the upper surface of said third connector element, each of saidfirst and second tubular body members and said first, second third andfourth connector elements being of a uniform maximum external diameter.

10. A connector assembly and support post according to claim 9 whereinconnector assembly and support post leveling means is threadably engagedin the bottom of said second connector element and each of said tubularbody members and each of said connector elements, said cap means andsaid leveling means have substantially identical maximum externaldiameters.

11. A connector assembly and support post according to claim 9 whereinsaid first, second, third and fourth connector elements have plug likeend portions which are receivable in force fit relationship with saidhollow tubular body members to thereby secure said first, second, third,and fourth connector elements in said tubular body members.

1. A space dividing system including in combination at least oneconnector assembly and support post for supporting and connecting spacedividing panels of different heights, said connector assembly andsupport post comprising: a pair of vertically disposed axially alignedtubular body members, panel connector means, having a same externaldiameter as said tubular body members, connected intermediate said pairof axially aligned tubular body members and at each remote end of saidtubular body members and forming extensions thereof, each of said panelconnector means including an internally disposed axially aligned annularslot therein, each of said space dividing panels including a verticallydisposed planar panel having an elongated channel secured to itsvertical edge, each of said elongated channels including at least upperand lower connector hooks, said upper and lower connector hooks beingconstructed and arranged to be retained in the annular slots in at leasttwo of said panel connector means to thereby support said space dividingpanel means on said connector assebly and support post.
 2. A spacedividing system according to claim 1 wherein a post cap member extendsthrough the upper panel connector means and the upper tubular bodymember and is threadably received in the top of said intermediate panelconnector means and coacts with the top surface of the uppermostconnector hook to thereby secure said space dividing panels in astationary relationship With respect to said connector assembly andsupport post.
 3. A space dividing system according to claim 1 whereinsaid panel connector means connected intermediate said tubular bodymembers and said panel connector means forming extensions of saidtubular body members are secured to said tubular body members through aplug like extension which is force fitted into the interior of saidtubular body member.
 4. A space dividing system according to claim 1wherein said upper and lower connector hooks include an extended portionand a hook portion, said hook portion being slightly concavely curvedwith said curve having substantially the same radius of curvature as theannular slot in each of said panel means.
 5. A space dividing systemaccording to claim 1 wherein at least one of said space dividing panelsincludes an aperture in elongated channel secured along its verticaledge and said space dividing panel means is secured intermediate its topand bottom to said connector assembly and support post by a connectorclip which extends at one side through said aperture in said channel andat its other end into the axially aligned annular slot in saidintermediate panel connector means.
 6. A connector assembly and supportpost for connecting and supporting one or more panel dividers of a spacedivider system, said connector assembly and support post comprising: afirst hollow tubular body member of predetermined length; a first pluglike connector member secured in and closing off the top end of saidfirst hollow tubular body member, and first plug like connector memberhaving an annular slot in its surface remote from said first tubularbody member and a threaded aperture therein centrally of said annularslot; a second plug like connector member secured in and closing off thebottom end of said first tubular body member, said second plug likeconnector having a radially directed annular cutout portion with anaxially directed annular slot therein adjacent the base of said radiallydirected annular cutout portion and a threaded aperture in the bottomside of said second plug like connector; a second tubular body member ofpredetermined length, a third plug like connector member secured in andclosing off the top end of said second hollow tubular body member, saidthird plug like connector member having an annular slot in its surfaceremote from said second tubular body member and an aperture thereincentrally of said annular slot; a fourth plug like connector membersecured in and closing off the bottom end of said second tubular bodymember, said fourth plug like connector having an aperture therethrough,each of said first and second hollow tubular members and said first,second, third and fourth plug like connectors have a uniform maximumexternal diameter and give the appearance of a unitary member; and, capmeans having an elongated stud forming a part thereof, said elongatedstud extending through the centrally disposed apertures in said thirdand fourth plug like connector members and being threadably received inthe threaded aperture in said first plug like connector member.
 7. Aconnector assembly and support post according to claim 6 wherein saidhollow tubular body members are constructed from cold rolled steel andhave a vinyl coating thereon and said plug like connector members areconstructed of rigid polyvinyl chloride.
 8. A connector assembly andsupport post according to claim 7 wherein a washer member is interposedbetween the bottom surface of said fourth plug like connector member andthe upper surface of said first plug like connector member.
 9. Aconnector assembly and support post for connecting and supporting one ormore panel dividers of a space divider system, said connector assemblyand support post comprising: a first elongated hollow tubular bodymember of predetermined length and predetermined external diameteradapted for vertical orientation; a first connector element associatedwith and closIng off the upper end of said first tubular body member,said first connector member having an annular slot in the upper surfacethereof; a second connector element associated with and closing off thebottom end of said first tubular body member, said second connectorelement having an internally disposed, externally accessible, axiallyaligned, annular slot therein; a second elongated hollow tubular bodymember of predetermined length and predetermined external diameteradapted for vertical orientation above said first elongated hollowtubular body member; a third connector element associated with andclosing off the upper end of said second tubular body member, said thirdconnector element having an annular slot in the upper surface thereof; afourth connector element associated with and closing off the bottom endof said tubular body member; and cap means having an elongated studassociated therewith, said elongated stud extending through said thirdconnector element, said second elongated hollow tubular body member andsaid fourth connector element and being threadably received in saidfirst connector element, said cap means overlying the annular slot inthe upper surface of said third connector element, each of said firstand second tubular body members and said first, second third and fourthconnector elements being of a uniform maximum external diameter.
 10. Aconnector assembly and support post according to claim 9 whereinconnector assembly and support post leveling means is threadably engagedin the bottom of said second connector element and each of said tubularbody members and each of said connector elements, said cap means andsaid leveling means have substantially identical maximum externaldiameters.
 11. A connector assembly and support post according to claim9 wherein said first, second, third and fourth connector elements haveplug like end portions which are receivable in force fit relationshipwith said hollow tubular body members to thereby secure said first,second, third, and fourth connector elements in said tubular bodymembers.